Caught in a Winter Storm

A school assignment, my English teacher really liked it.

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Bitter frost is cracking my glasses. The wind is whipping, and there is an eerie silence. My vision is getting fuzzy, and I can hardly move. My world is coming to a total whiteout, I lay down and curl into a fetal position. It doesn't help much, snow is laying gentle on my side, cradling me with its frigid bite. I don't think I can keep going, my eyes are growing tired and I can feel my heart beating slower. As it all starts to fade away I think back to how I got here today, and who the last people I said good-bye to were.             This morning I woke up to a warm fire burning it the fireplace, and breakfast cooking. I heard the bacon sizzling and smelt the pancakes cooking. It was one of those mornings where you wake up and just know that it's going to be a great day. I walked down our hallway into our den with the fireplace lit. The Christmas tree twinkled and I eyed the presents that appeared a few nights before they were supposed to. There was still two weeks before Christmas, and people were already giving presents. I felt a little glimmer of happiness because giving is my favorite part of Christmas. I take my time to pick out the right gift for everyone, but the main reason I enjoy giving so much is because I know that part of me will stay with that person. After standing, looking at the Christmas tree, I follow my nose into the kitchen. I found my grandfather standing over the stove, flipping pancakes. He makes the best pancakes in the world, they make my favorite breakfast. I poured myself a glass of milk and sat down at our table. I yawned and said, "Good morning." Grandpa turned around and smiled. He asked me if I slept well last night, and I told him I did. He took the pancakes out of the pan and put them on a plate, beside the beacon. I went over and got my plat, along with a fork and knife. I then went and sat down again, this time to eat my breakfast. Grandpa went to his bedroom to change out of his pajamas, and I finished my breakfast. He came back into the kitchen and got a cup of coffee and his coat, he told me that he was going to his friend Tolbert's house. I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, telling him I'd see him later today. He left and I went back  to my room to get dressed for school. I decided to wear my new hat and ear muffs I got the week before. I chose my favorite blue shirt and grey jeans to wear with my black boots. I put on a black belt and my watch. I then went and brushed my hair and teeth in the bathroom. I put on my big jacket and grabbed binder, off to school and the weatherman said that they were calling for snow. At 7 o'clock I was waiting at the bus stop for my bus to arrive.             I got to school at 7:20 and greeted my favorite teachers and my best friends. I gave them the little snowman ornaments I found at Kohl's and the little shoe ornament I got for my teacher who was going to be a dad in February. All of them loved their gifts, and they were in a good mood the rest of the day. That's another reason I love to give, it makes people feel good when they receive, and I like taking the time to pick out something special. The rest of the day went by, and it was perfect. I was in a good mood from the time I woke up. The school day soon grew to an end. I went and said good-bye to my teachers and friends, and left for the bus. When I walked outside I noticed the first flakes of snow falling.           When I got home the snow was starting to pile up, a couple of inches. I saw the note my grandpa left me, it read that he had gone to the woods out back to get some logs for the fire. I stayed at home for about 30 minutes before I started to get worried about him. The snow was falling heavy now, and I could only see about 16feet in front of me. A few more anxious minutes dragged on like hours and I decided I was going to go look for him. I put my big jacket on and left my warm, cozy house. I walked, and kept on walking in hope of seeing him. I was at the edge of the woods and saw no sign of him. I went onward, scanning the woods as fast as I could. Before I knew it I had lost my sense of direction. Everything was white, and the trees started to look the same. I had my heart set on thing though, Grandpa. At this point I knew I had been in the woods for more than half an hour. I started running, hoping I would spot him, but I didn't have any idea where he was. I felt my throat and my eyes beginning to burn. It was freezing outside, and I was losing hope. I had stopped running when I realized I didn't actually know where I was or how to get back to my house. I turned around  in the direction I had just came, but I hadn't been going in a straight line. It was almost dusk when I knew I wouldn't find him. For all I knew he could've gotten home again then noticed me missing and went out looking for me. He could be stumbling around out in this bitter cold as I am. I tried to push the thought from my head, but I felt my eyes growing hot again, and I knew I couldn't hold the tears back. I wept as I walked on. I was numb both outside and inside. I didn't know where I was and the snow was deep. The snow came all the way to above my knees, and it was slowing me down. My tears were starting to freeze, and I was breaking down. It was creepy. It was so silent, and so white. Some people were probably looking outside and smiling at the fact that they wouldn't have school tomorrow. School, that hit me hard. It's as if it was the final blow, the straw that broke the camel's back. As I started to cry again I knelt down. It's hard to see, everything is white and fuzzy. I can't go on any further. I curled into a fetal position, hoping to comfort myself.           But it's too late. What started out as a perfect day turned out to be my last. Darkness has started to come over me, and I think about how this is the end. The real end. I start to cry a little harder because I know my loved ones won't really ever know what happened to me. I hope that my little gifts will comfort them. I hope that I will never be forgotten by them. As I drift off to nowhereness they are the last thoughts to pass through my mind.

Reviews

[kyrie]

This is a wonderful short story! I applaud you. The lighthearted tone of the middle makes you smile despite the bleak beginning and tragic end. This is a very touching story. Great job. :)